Complements of Possibility (2) – 可能补语 (2)

Complements of Possibility (2) – 可能补语 (2)

In Chinese, the complements of possibility can be used to indicate whether or not a result can be obtained, or a goal is reached.

This type of complements of possibility sentence indicates whether the subject or object condition could be obtained or allowed.

Verb + 得

e.g.

医生说出院以后，肉吃得，酒也喝得。(Yīshēng shuō chūyuàn yǐhòu, ròu chī de, jiǔ yě hē de.) The doctor said that after he was discharged from the hospital, he could eat meat and drink well.

>> 可以吃肉，也可以喝酒。

 

那么好的事我当然干得。(Nàme hǎo de shì wǒ dāngrán gàn de.) Of course, I can do such a good thing.

>> 可以干这事。

 

放心吧，东西不重，我拿得。(Fàngxīn ba, dōngxi bú zhòng, wǒ ná de.) Don’t worry, the thing is not heavy, I can get it.

>> 我可以拿这个东西。

The negative form:

Verb + 不 + 得

e.g.

这个菜已经坏了，吃不得。(Zhège cài yǐjīng huàile, chī bùde.) This dish is already bad and can’t be eaten.

>> 不可以吃这个菜。

 

你的手太脏了，白衣服摸不得。(Nǐ de shǒu tài zāngle, bái yīfú mō bùde.) Your hands are so dirty that you can’t touch your white clothes.

>> 你的手不可以摸白衣服。

 

这个孩子被宠坏了，说不得，打不得。(Zhège háizi bèi chǒng huàile, shuōbude, dǎ bùde.) The child was spoiled and could not be beaten.

>> 这个孩子不可以被说，不可以被打。

The question form:

Verb 得 + Verb 不得？

Verb + 不 + Verb + 得？

Verb 得 + 还是 + Verb 不得？

e.g.

Is this cake edible or not?

这个蛋糕吃得吃不得？(Zhège dàngāo chī de chī bùde?)

这个蛋糕吃不吃得？(Zhège dàngāo chī bù chī de?)

这个蛋糕吃得还是吃不得？(Zhège dàngāo chī de háishì chī bùde?)